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Flood kills at least 13 in Dinajpur

Published at 12:43 pm August 14th, 2017

Last updated at 02:23 pm August 14th, 2017

At least 13 people, including a family of three, have died and thousands have been stranded in Dinajpur after the district was hit by floods caused by torrential rain.
The deaths were reported in the district's Kaharol, Birol, Birganj and Sadar upazilas, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mir Khairul Alam said on Sunday evening.
Another man is reported to be missing in Birganj after being swept away in the flood water.
Dinajpur has recorded 492mm of rainfall in the past five days.
“Eight of the district's 13 upazilas have been flooded due to incessant rain and the onrush of water from hills, leaving about 150,000 people marooned,” DC Khairul said.
120,700 hectares of crops have also been damaged.
DC Khairul said the that army was aiding rescue efforts.
“The district administration has bolstered relief works,” he said. “We have already written to the Disaster Management Ministry for 300 tons of rice and Tk50 lakh on an emergency basis.”
Meanwhile, the district's rail and road communications with Dhaka have remained suspended since Sunday afternoon due to heavy flooding.
Dinajpur's flood situation has remained unchanged as both the Punarbhava and Atrai rivers are flowing above the danger level.